First Call: Patrick Peterson trade talk ramps back up; Jordan Staal shines for Hurricanes

In “First Call” Thursday, the Patrick Peterson trade rumors may kick up again. Jordan Staal comes through in the clutch for the Hurricanes. And a warning for the Pirates against the Diamondbacks. 

Are the Patrick Peterson rumors back?

Remember this past season when rumors swirled that the Steelers may try to acquire Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson?

Well, here’s something to watch as a sidebar on the first day of the NFL Draft. The Arizona Republic is now at the point that it is endorsing the idea of trading of Peterson.

The Steelers aren’t necessarily linked (the Chiefs have been though), but fans in Arizona may be wondering if Peterson may be ready to ask for a trade.

Again.

He did so last season, then backtracked and apologized.

But, this week, Peterson made some remarks on social media. And the speculation is that he may be unhappy with contract talks.

Hmm. I mean, I like Greedy Williams and Byron Murphy, too. But I’d certainly prefer to get Patrick Peterson.

Maybe Kevin Colbert should make a call.

Jumpin’ for Jordan

Jordan Staal still has plenty of fans in Pittsburgh, dating to his six years — and one championship — with the Penguins.

So they had to be happy to see his contributions toward Carolina upsetting the Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

He had this hard-working goal in Game 6 en route to the Hurricanes’s 5-2 win.

Whatever It Takes pic.twitter.com/n1W8TqPieu

— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 23, 2019

Pens fans certainly know his knack for clutch scores in Game 6 situations, don’t they?

Then in Game 7 last night, it was Staal who erased a 3-2 Capitals advantage.

"This is one where you've got to get a stop from your goaltender. Outside the dots...lots of room on that far side." @NHLonNBCSports analyst Eddie Olczyk on Jordan Staal's goal to tie Game 7 3-3 early in the third period on @NBCSN. #CARvsWSH pic.twitter.com/VtCAI1cOWu

— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) April 25, 2019

The Hurricanes went on to win 4-3 in double overtime, thanks to a game-winner from Brock McGinn.

Brock McGinn wins it in OT!

Canes eliminate the Capitals. pic.twitter.com/4CChEjoESu

— Flintor (@TheFlintor) April 25, 2019

So Staal and the Hurricanes advance to play the Islanders in the second round. Washington’s elimination — along with those of Calgary, Nashville, Tampa Bay and the Penguins — means the last three Stanley Cup winners, the President’s Trophy winner, and all four division winners were erased in the first round.

Saw this comin’

Not to say we told you so, but …

Arizona’s bats are really hurting the Pirates.

On Monday, we warned fans about the more potent offensive teams they’d be watching this week in the forms of Arizona and Los Angeles.

The offensive numbers of those two clubs have been impressive. And so far this series, the Diamondbacks have had done little to dilute those stats. The Snakes have outscored the Pirates, 25-7, in three games thus far.

The final game of the series is at 12:35 p.m. Thursday. On Wednesday, Jordan Lyles suffered his first rough start as a Pirate, allowing four earned runs and eight hits in five innings.

Ketel Marte played a role in that. He homered from both sides of the plate en route to an 11-2 Arizona victory.

From the left, from the left, from the left, from the left.
From the right, from the right, from the right, from the right.
Now hit, now hit, now hit, now hit.
Now touch 'em all Ketel, now touch 'em all Ketel. pic.twitter.com/QXYWL1Dj0o

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 25, 2019

Jameson Taillon (1-2, 3.12 ERA) pitches Thursday against Zack Greinke (3-1, 4.60 ERA).

Zack’s zingers

Speaking of hitting, look out when Greinke hits!

Zack Greinke, home run.

[Love the huge hack at the first pitch too and talking to himself.] pic.twitter.com/PhpRkNbQNL

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 3, 2019

Not bad for a pitcher, right? Greinke has eight career homers and two this year. He is 5 for 10 this season.

Greinke is a .225 lifetime hitter in 479 at-bats.

For … a kicker?

You may have heard that the Ravens extended the contract of kicker Justin Tucker.

But did you hear for how much?

Ravens are giving kicker Justin Tucker a four-year, $23.05 million extension, including $12.5 million fully guaranteed in the first two years and an $8 million signing bonus, per source. All records for a kicker. Tucker tied to Baltimore through the 2023 season.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2019

At least it’s the right guy who is getting paid. Tucker is the most accurate kicker in field-goal history, making 90.114% of his 263 career attempts.

Imagine how much his kid is going to make!

Justin Tucker’s son is already automatic pic.twitter.com/jdYtksVoj6

— Laces Out (@LacesOutShow) April 20, 2019